But the prosecutor can launch an investigation only into alleged crimes committed by the citizens of a state which has ratified the ICC treaty or on the territory of such a state.

Neither the US nor Iraq is a party to the treaty.

Then there are complaints about other countries that fought in the Iraq war: Britain and Australia did so and both have ratified the treaty.

But the prosecutor notes that here the court could take action only if national authorities were unwilling or unable to investigate.

Focus on Congo

There were two brief messages about alleged crimes in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but there are no state parties involved, so the ICC has no jurisdiction.

The same applies to the Ivory Coast, where there were complaints about the alleged killing of civilians by army soldiers.

However, the Democratic Republic of Congo, though torn apart by war, has ratified the treaty.

The prosecutor chose to look most urgently at the situation in the north-eastern province of Ituri, where he has received two detailed reports of massacres of civilians and other crimes.

Two non-governmental organisations have submitted detailed reports of massacres of civilians which he says could fall within the court's jurisdiction as genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes.

But the prosecutor's statement also reveals how many things the ICC cannot investigate.